Are you running against that guy?
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Sapraicone hands out this pen for name recognition. Credit: Newsday/O. Jimenez
Daily Point
Mike Sapraicone: They don't know me and they don't know her, either
One of the underlying campaign themes of the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate seat from New York is that Democratic incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand has a very low profile among New Yorkers despite 15 years on the job.
When the Queens native and now Nassau County resident Mike Sapraicone visited with the Newsday editorial board on Tuesday to press the case for his election, he told a tale from his statewide tour introducing himself to voters. The first-time political candidate says he is often initially rebuffed when he introduces himself to Democrats as the Republican candidate.
"And I'll say, 'But you don't even know me. You don't even know about me. You don't even know who I'm running against. You know, can we have a conversation?' "
Former NYPD Det. Mike Sapraicone is the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. Credit: Barry Sloan
Sapraicone says that if he can get that conversation started, he is asked, "Are you running against that guy?"
And the rest of the conversation, Sapraicone says, continues without anyone needing to say "that guy" refers to U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer.
"And I say, no, not that guy."
"What's the other guy's name?"
"It's a woman."
"Who is that?"
The lesson, said the former New York City detective: "Most people can't pick her out of a lineup."
— Rita Ciolli rita.ciolli@newsday.com
Pencil Point
Dueling appetites
Credit: CagleCartoons.com/Rick McKee
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Final Point
LICA assesses candidates in NY, federal races
The Long Island Contractors’ Association has emerged with its annual look at this year’s federal and state legislative races — and while the group usually doesn’t endorse candidates, it has some pointed things to say about some of this year’s incumbents.
You can get the flavor, if not the frustration, from these two takeaways, starting with state Assemb. Philip Ramos, a Democrat, now in party leadership, who has been in office since 2003.
"The textbook case of complacency from politicians in safe seats applies to Ramos, especially regarding issues that matter to our industry," LICA wrote. "He has never interacted with or attended any LICA events or meetings for over twenty years. But hope springs eternal that he will finally experience a great awakening."
Ramos’ opponent, Republican Daniel Mitola, is not actively campaigning, LICA said.
A similar story emerged for Republican State Sen. Alexis Weik. Weik "showed exciting promise" before her election to represent the 8th Senate District, but "her engagement with our industry has been shockingly nonexistent since she arrived at the state capitol," LICA wrote.
"She has skipped many meetings LICA has held with the delegation in Albany and has failed to attend or support any association events or advocacy efforts back home," LICA’s review of Weik said. "Regrettably, she wouldn’t even respect our request to provide us with positions on her legislative priorities. We hope she rediscovers her voice as she has stood by projects like advancing the Oakdale Merge Improvements."
Francis Dolan, the Democratic nominee, is not campaigning, LICA said.
In other races, LICA expressed more of an evenhanded view, noting, for instance, State Sen. Jack Martins’ advocacy on construction and transit improvements, while simultaneously saying: "Regarding highway, clean and wastewater, and utility construction discussions in the capital, he doesn’t suffer fools gladly." Simultaneously, LICA pointed to Democrat Kim Keiserman, Martins’ opponent, as a candidate who has run an "energetic challenge" and "made strong efforts to learn about the issues facing our industry."
In multiple cases, LICA noted that political candidates, including incumbents like U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, did not respond to LICA’s requests for information regarding their policy positions.
But in other races, LICA had glowing thoughts, even when continuing its tradition of not making a direct endorsement.
"Senator Mario Mattera is never at a loss for words when advocating for public works projects on Long Island," LICA said of the state senator. "He regularly contacts LICA to provide updates on all legislative and regulatory issues under discussion in the halls and chambers of our state capitol."
— Randi F. Marshall randi.marshall@newsday.com
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